Alcaraz returns as Europe take 3-1 Laver Cup lead

Team Europe lead Team World 3-1 after the opening day of the Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London.

Carlos Alcaraz closed the night with a 6-4, 6-4 doubles win alongside Jakub Mensik over Alexander Bublik and Taylor Fritz, a result that put Europe two points clear in the team contest, according to The Guardian. The Laver Cup pits six players from Europe against six from the rest of the world across three days of singles and doubles.

The day started with a fightback from Casper Ruud. He lost the first set to Francisco Cerundolo 6-7(4), a tiebreak decided 7-4, then steadied to take the second 6-4. With no full third set at this event, the match went to a first-to-10 tiebreak. Ruud took it 10-8.

That gave Europe the first point. Team World hit straight back. Brandon Nakashima beat Mensik 6-1, 3-6, 10-7, racing through the opener before Mensik levelled and forced another deciding tiebreak. Nakashima held his nerve at the end. One-all.

Then came Alcaraz. Out for four and a half months from April to August with a right wrist injury, he was playing only his second competitive match of his comeback. He looked sharp beside Mensik. Two sets. No tiebreaks needed. Europe led again, then pulled away.

The 6-4, 6-4 scoreline tells its own story. One break of serve in each set, a chance to take your opponent's service game, was enough. Alcaraz and Mensik served well, returned cleanly and never let Bublik and Fritz build momentum. Short points. Clean finishes.

What makes this stand out is the timing. Four and a half months out is a long silence in tennis. Rhythm goes. Confidence wobbles. To return in a team arena, with noise and expectation, is a test of nerve as much as wrist.

For fans, this means the comeback is real. Alcaraz moved freely and struck through the ball in doubles, where reactions are quick and there is nowhere to hide at the net.

Europe are coached this weekend by Yannick Noah and Tim Henman. They will want more of the same on 26 September, with the lead already banked. Team World need an early win to stop the gap growing.